Champions League VII: BSC Young Boys

Champions League VII
BSC Young Boys
~~~~~~~~~~ Official TC Match Preview ~~~~~~~~~~


Daizen Maeda celebrates scoring Celtic's crucial second in the 2-1 Scottish Cup win v Kilmarnock


Celtic Park, Glasgow
Wednesday 22 January 2025
20.00 GMT

The Champions League returns on Wednesday evening to Paradise, as Celtic host the visit of Swiss champions, BSC Young Boys, as they look to qualify for the next phase of Europe's elite club competition.

The Hoops are coming into this game currently sitting on 9 points, courtesy of 2 wins and 3 draws from their 6 matches so far, and another win (with the 3 points that come with that) will make certain of progression, with a game still in hand.

At first glance, Celtic will be confident going into this game, especially given the home form that they have been in, coupled with the struggles that the visitors have been going through so far this season, but that is all the more reason for Celtic to be fully prepared and, especially at the Champions League level, cannot afford even a hint of complacency.​

1993: Celtic players celebrate as Young Boys' extra time own goal was the difference in a 1-0 win

Who are BSC Young Boys?

Founded in 1898, Berner Sports Club Young Boys have in recent years been the most dominant force in Swiss football, having secured the League title 17 times overall, including in 6 of the past 7 seasons and are the current reigning Champions.

The only previous time these sides have crossed paths was in 1993/94 UEFA Cup. Following a goalless draw in Berne the teams met again in Glasgow, where the Hoops dominated but could not find a way through until an extra time Young Boys' own goal handed Celtic a 1-0 win - which proved to be Liam Brady's last victory as manager.

This season, however, has been problematic to say the least for the Swiss champions finding themselves currently sitting in 9th place in their domestic League, while they have also lost all 6 previous Champions League group stage matches.

The poor form means that they are now on their 3rd manager this season. with both Patrick Rahman and Joel Magnin having been shown the door, while the most recent appointment being former Swiss NT Assistant, Giorgio Contini in December.

Contini has had the benefit of almost a month long winter break to implementing his ideas, but in their only competitive match since the break, they were held at home to a 0-0 draw by bottom side, Winterthur at the weekend.

This could simply be down to rust after having not played competitively for a while, however it may be something that Brendan Rodgers has to take into account - the fact that Contini will have had time to focus and plan for this match, and the visiting players will likewise be relatively fresh physically, while Celtic have been in the midst of a heavy fixture schedule.


Giorgio Contini was appointed as Young Boys manager in December - their third manager this season

Stats & Facts​

• The Hoops are undefeated at Paradise across all competitions since December 2023 - including 16 wins in 18 games this season.

• The Bhoys have won each of their last 7 straight 'home' games (6LG 1SC), with 23 goals scored and just 1 conceded during that run.

• A win would take Celtic to 12 points and make certain of Celtic's progress to the next phase of the Champions League.

• Celtic also have the opportunity to go through a Champions League Group undefeated at home for the first time since 2012/13.

• Young Boys have seriously struggled on the road this season, with just one 'Away' win in the League - and that was back in September.

• The visitors have kept just 2 clean sheets in their past 10 competitive games in all competitions - one of which came in a 1-0 Swiss Cup victory over 2nd Division side, Schaffhausen, and the most recent, the 0-0 draw with Swiss Super League bottom side, Winterthur.

Skipper Callum McGregor strikes with another long range effort against Killie at the weekend

Team News

ASide from James Forrest's continued absence (foot), Brendan Rodgers will have a full squad to select from, with the biggest question mark hanging over who he will decide to start in midfield alongside captain Callum McGregor, with Reo Hatate, Arne Engels, Paulo Bernardo and Luke McCowan all in contention for the two available spots.

As for the visitors, they have only just returned from the winter break, they come into this game fresh with virtually a full squad available, apart from the two long term absentees, Facinete Conte and former fringe Celtic player, Saidy Janko.

Since Giorgio Contini has only had the one competitive match in charge since taking over, it is difficult to assess at this point how they will likely play, but were deployed in a 4-2-3-1 formation against Winterthur at the weekend.

Referee: Rohit Saggi (NOR)

The 32y.o. has officiated 165 Eliteserien matches in his native Norway, and this will be his 3rd Champions League match after making his debut at this level earlier this season, while this will be the first ever occasion of crossing paths with Celtic.

VAR: Marco Di Bello (ITA)



~~~~ Head to Head ~~~~

Overall
P:2 W:1 D:1 L:0

v All Swiss Opposition
P:18 W:11 D:3 L:4

~~~~ 2024/25 Form ~~~~ ​

Overall
W D W W W ~ D W L L W

Champions League
D D W D L ~ L L L L L​